tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post4805495835569513100..comments2024-02-15T00:49:12.299-08:00Comments on Rolling with the Punches: An Unfond Farewell to Disability ActivismSpoonydochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-4685670665852185092015-06-09T05:31:23.105-07:002015-06-09T05:31:23.105-07:00Very sorry to hear about this. The disability move...Very sorry to hear about this. The disability movement needs people like you. A great shame... though I'm also not particularly surprised (at the behaviour of some people and groups - which is not unprecedented).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-13519030739381409882015-06-08T03:41:05.501-07:002015-06-08T03:41:05.501-07:00Thank you for your kind words. The support I have ...Thank you for your kind words. The support I have had over the past few days has been extremely helpful. I feel I can now step back with far fewer regrets.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-79680631923359285862015-06-08T03:35:32.381-07:002015-06-08T03:35:32.381-07:00I respect anyone's opinion. Not everyone will ...I respect anyone's opinion. Not everyone will agree with the idea of a union nor want to join one. However a significant number of people do or they wouldn't be trying to make it happen.<br />As for carers, from what I gathered from discussions, many felt they should be associate members due to our shared concerns and goals.<br />Finally, if you really do feel that personal insults and ostracisation is acceptable behaviour, in particular in response to something someone ELSE did, then there is nothing more I can say. "Childish" doesn't even begin to cover it.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-86375012853365083212015-06-07T18:14:34.053-07:002015-06-07T18:14:34.053-07:00That's harsh
we too were part of the movement ...That's harsh<br />we too were part of the movement with marsh.<br />Does that mean we are all to be branded with her by association?<br /><br /><br />You should consider that people need to put their health first sometimes<br /><br />the anger and passion sometimes gets directed at the wrong people<br /><br />to kick someone when they are in deteriorating health is what we were fighting against.<br /><br />There would have been no massive movement without the report.<br /><br />Perhaps its an idea before its time and people are just not ready to think outside the box <br /><br />there could be two one for disabled and linked one for carers.<br /><br />Do not cause abuse to someone who tried their very best, because of someone else's actions.<br /><br />Channel yr anger into a positive way forward.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-6916249658016527262015-06-07T05:46:26.280-07:002015-06-07T05:46:26.280-07:00Can anyone join the self-pity party? To brand thos...Can anyone join the self-pity party? To brand those who disagree with you and are insulted by connections to the money-mad-Marsh as bullies and trolls is incredibly childish.<br /><br />FTR as I've said before, a union has been brought up on many occasions and turned down every time, the only ones who wanted it was the people that came up with the "original" idea. And a union this time that wants "inclusion" but excluded carers? Yeah that idea's gonna workClivegsdhttp://ukcarers.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-85451525724219726112015-06-06T16:31:39.531-07:002015-06-06T16:31:39.531-07:00You did great work and it must have been shock to ...You did great work and it must have been shock to see it take off so fast.<br />I tweeted Stephen fry and it got many re tweeted <br />he is a smart man so you should praise yr self that he read and took on yr cause seeing yr truth<br /><br />I too took time out as health got much worse.<br />It takes a lot out of you campaigning when very ill.<br /><br />Its very hurtful when people turn on you and drop you when you've paid such a price to help others.<br /><br />I think the govt has such power in press it was always going to be hard to get the message to public.<br /><br />Yr health is most important of all<br />so enjoy summer as much as you can and recover as much as you can<br /><br />pay into the bank of you.<br />Others have maybe not realised how much they have taken from you.<br /><br />Disabled by birth or accident or by health conditions is really to me the same<br /><br />my friend who had accident lost knee cannot see me as disabled. Yet he looked after me and could do much more than I functionally.<br />Both in activity mobility and cognitive function.<br /><br />I don't know what to think about sue<br />it feels like a real betrayal. Surely she could have worked for another company not the enemy.<br /><br />Though I've not been following to be honest.<br /><br />You are not responsible for her actions<br />The general public will soon begin to see and feel the nhs cuts and realise the truth.<br /><br />They will end up more and more on benefits as health care needs are not met <br /><br />I do hope once the dust settles. You will one day find a new pathway and find some direction that will give you happiness<br /><br />until then thank you for yr hard work.<br /><br />What you created was amazing.<br /><br />Just sit back and think what you created.<br /><br />People are angry at the govt and projecting at you their inner anger and frustrations.<br /><br />Put yr self first and yr healthfirst and take a well deserved rest.<br /><br />Maybe sue will not find the job works for her and become a whistle blower. Who knows.<br /><br />But we do know, you had nothing. But the very brilliant report and should be proud of the job you did.<br /><br />Bullies. Only get satisfaction from response so to just walk away and Put yr self first is exactly the right choice.<br />You have helped to many now time to look after you <br />you made history.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-72579879771171459452015-06-06T01:59:28.352-07:002015-06-06T01:59:28.352-07:00Thank you, and it is so great to hear that someone...Thank you, and it is so great to hear that someone has become involved as a result of my work. I couldn't possibly wish for more. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-52005527533340713972015-06-06T01:56:47.118-07:002015-06-06T01:56:47.118-07:00Thank you for your well wishes.Thank you for your well wishes.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-10847758627566553272015-06-06T01:56:12.819-07:002015-06-06T01:56:12.819-07:00Thank you for you4 lovely comments. They raise my ...Thank you for you4 lovely comments. They raise my spirits. I am very sad it has come to this, but just don't want to put up with this any more. Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-15685763783908880312015-06-06T01:54:06.154-07:002015-06-06T01:54:06.154-07:00Thank you Mel. Yes I do try to be fair and am deli...Thank you Mel. Yes I do try to be fair and am delighted if that is how I have come across. Maybe that hasn't been to everone's taste. <br />Yet I still believe quite firmly that we need both approaches: a level headed fact finding one, and a perhaps more passionate, galvanising one. Both have their place and their strengths and weaknesses.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-71660409176771469962015-06-04T05:58:01.436-07:002015-06-04T05:58:01.436-07:00Thank you for your work. I don't know much abo...Thank you for your work. I don't know much about the politics of disability campaigning, but the quality of the spartacus report has inspired me to get involved independently, researching the details of various boring reports and compiling results. The truth matters, and drawing attention to important facts is always helpful regardless of the politics. I think that you've helped lay a foundation for stronger disability activism and am keen to see you continue researching and writing, even if you detach yourself from the 'movement'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-58543106090614823282015-06-03T16:22:02.298-07:002015-06-03T16:22:02.298-07:00Wake Up people! this is how they roll, if they can...Wake Up people! this is how they roll, if they cant buy you, they break you! wishing you well pet xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-82019968734909449622015-06-03T15:28:43.697-07:002015-06-03T15:28:43.697-07:00I am so very sad to read this. I have read your bl...I am so very sad to read this. I have read your blog for a long time and thought your work on Spartacus was exemplary. Your analysis and compassion shine bright and why anyone would not want your input simply astounds me. You will be sorely missed and those that have driven you to this should be ashamed. I wish you well and hope your health improves.daisybeebeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582419811836925241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-10819990315060518422015-06-03T13:53:33.618-07:002015-06-03T13:53:33.618-07:00Spoonydoc, I was so sad to read of your experience...Spoonydoc, I was so sad to read of your experiences. I've been reading your blog for a while, and I'm of the view that you have only ever tried to be balanced and fair. Plus you have made a huge contribution to campaigning over the last few years.<br /><br />It makes me so sad also that the entire disability rights cause could be lost just because of people deciding that they don't like some other people.<br /><br />I wholeheartedly agree that health comes first; that is why I haven't tried to get involved in too much up to now. I hope that some time off is useful and restorative for you.<br /><br />Lost Transport - 'So the idea of a union is interesting but the first principles have to be well thought through.' I think the door is currently wide open for anyone to contribute their ideas. You have the opportunity to help shape this organisation if you wish. I think that is something else that is currently not being understood by many.<br /><br />The union idea has masses of potential but will only work if we have enough people to do all the work that it's intended to do.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01974201971126211788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-39867661253056351812015-06-03T12:26:00.930-07:002015-06-03T12:26:00.930-07:00Your very first priority is to keep as well as you...Your very first priority is to keep as well as you can. I hope that your recovery goes well but you have to take care of yourself and let things heal on the inside and outside. Take care xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06475814533210477851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-3444127488968407022015-06-03T06:51:47.873-07:002015-06-03T06:51:47.873-07:00Thank you. I will take some time now to concentrat...Thank you. I will take some time now to concentrate on recovery. Who knows, maybe the weather will even improve at the same time and I will be able to leave my flat!Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-84885976379207756742015-06-03T06:50:09.985-07:002015-06-03T06:50:09.985-07:00Thank you. And I really do wish you the best of lu...Thank you. And I really do wish you the best of luck. I would love to see things work out.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-81558330826403703922015-06-03T06:48:24.509-07:002015-06-03T06:48:24.509-07:00Thank you. And i'm so glad to hear that my wor...Thank you. And i'm so glad to hear that my work made a difference.<br />I will try to keep blogging if able to. It is always sporadic to say the least!Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-246117560855033692015-06-03T06:46:04.813-07:002015-06-03T06:46:04.813-07:00Thank you.
I sometimes think people overestimate w...Thank you.<br />I sometimes think people overestimate what the Spartacus Report set out to do. It was a surprise as to how big an impact it had and suddenly people turned to us, the authors and organisers, asking "what next?" <br />There wasn't a next as far as I had been concerned, yet suddenly people thought I was somehow capable of solving one of today's big issues facing disabled people. I was no one special, had no special resources. It was just me, a few other similar disabled and often very sick people and our laptops. I still don't think everyone realises that.<br />Our only goal at the time was to expose with hard evidence that the government was lying through its teeth. It may be hard to remember now, but back then no one knew. The media, the statistics office, select committees, other MPs, none of them had yet questioned the government on any of their blatantly false or misleading press releases or statistics. The Spartacus Report was a (fairly dry and boring when you come to it!) systematic taking apart of one of their official briefings. It wasn't in any way supposed to offer solutions. It only wanted to shine a light on the problem. And it did. <br />The hard work of resolving the issues needed to come after that. Unfortunately it still does. Right now people are still focussing more on their differences than on their common goals. As someone with both visible and invisible impairments, who has both worked and is now unable to work, I find it incredibly frustrating.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-63432084234453714712015-06-03T06:09:06.444-07:002015-06-03T06:09:06.444-07:00Like others, I wish to convey my sympathies and st...Like others, I wish to convey my sympathies and stress that the most important thing here is your health. You need to look after yourself first. <br /><br />We are in an interesting time currently. There is a much wider spectrum of disability campaigning than there was in the 70s and 80s. With the collapse of the political consensus reached in the 90s which started almost a decade ago and the emergence of different disabled voices such as learning difficulties (e.g. People First) and the long-term sick (which had a significant voice in the Spartacus movement), the space known as 'disability rights' has become more complex and contested. What you have described is a consequence of that I feel.<br /><br />Yet I view this contested space as a good thing overall whilst not condoning the behaviour that you have experienced. The gains made in the 80s and 90s were shallow and easily overwhelmed by a hardening of political attitudes towards the sick and disabled. So wherever we relate to disability, this is quite the 'wicked problem' and will generate heat amongst otherwise well-meaning people. Obviously there are exceptions who generate heat because its their personality but that is a minority. <br /><br />My personal take on the Spartacus Report was that it was good on evidence and identifying problems with the benefit and support systems but weak on resolving those problems. In particular, it didn't address the complexity of disability as opposed to sickness within society rigorously enough which left it open to criticism of undermining disabled people participation in society. That may feel unfair but I can see where those criticism come from. It is a wicked problem. <br /><br />This isn't an easy time as there are a diverse range of voices wanting to be heard. So the idea of a union is interesting but the first principles have to be well thought through. I'll look at it with interest.<br /><br />So look after yourself first and give yourself the space and time you need. I hope in the future that you'll feel able to participate again. Lost Transporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09602234059318486287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-4966324003278083652015-06-03T03:44:12.454-07:002015-06-03T03:44:12.454-07:00I totally understand. Your campaigning work is an ...I totally understand. Your campaigning work is an incredible achievement as it is and I hope you can put this recent conflict aside and take pride and satisfaction from it as you rest xxCatherine Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18404235448808729042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-25144365676116899982015-06-03T01:38:21.330-07:002015-06-03T01:38:21.330-07:00I'm not 'around' the disability scene ...I'm not 'around' the disability scene much due to very poor health, so don't have the energy to join disability groups so a bit out of the loop. But I just wanted to thank you personally for all the work you have done. The Spartacus report was excellent, a ray of hope to so many of us who felt overwhelmed by the oppression of lies about us coming from various sources. <br />Also your work and warnings on DSA - such an important issue.<br />I am sorry to hear you've been bullied. I hate bullying in the disabled community. We are all on the same side (or should be) - we have enemies, but they should not be amongst others who are facing the same challenges.<br />Rest and recouperate as the doctor would say :-) I wish you all the best for whatever you decide to do in the future, and hope you will keep blogging.brokenwinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12095039522530290447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-36326589054072812222015-06-02T23:24:23.282-07:002015-06-02T23:24:23.282-07:00I am so sorry you've been made to feel like th...I am so sorry you've been made to feel like this. I haven't been around because I've been a bit too poorly myself to take part in anything, so I don't have a clue what has gone on. I'm very sad for you, but also for the rest of us, because it seems like the most natural thing would be to build on a success, and the Spartacus Report was a success, along with all those (like your good self) who were involved in creating it.<br /><br />I hope that you will be able to spend some time concentrating on your own health, and that you will feel better soon.Piphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11711687072495677795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-32368150904062294262015-06-02T22:18:36.946-07:002015-06-02T22:18:36.946-07:00Sarah I echo Sam's comment. I'm personally...Sarah I echo Sam's comment. I'm personally sickened by the amount of bullying that goes on (particularly on Facebook it seems) from people who purport to be members of the disabled community, but here again I echo D's comment I feel I cannot sit back and do nothing. Therefore I will do all I can to support some sort of unifying groups and bullies be damned.<br />I sincerely hope this will take off and that in the future you will able to rejoin us when this proves to be a supportive project you feel you can benefit from as well as add your wealth of knowledge to.<br />All very best - see you around in the fantasy book groups I hope xxxJayneLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00512594513221073398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102063997894034497.post-88647057252551408382015-06-02T15:40:16.068-07:002015-06-02T15:40:16.068-07:00Sam, I sincerely hope you do succeed. I hope to be...Sam, I sincerely hope you do succeed. I hope to be proved wrong. I just can't be involved any longer. I don't have the strength for it. <br />I will indeed step back and concentrate on my current recovery and see where that takes me. Best of luck to you.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.com